Curriculum Requirements

Social work is a dynamic profession concerned with the changing needs of people and society. To respond to such needs, the faculty, students, members of the practice community, and others regularly review the curriculum of the School of Social Work.

The MSW curriculum includes three distinct levels through which students progress toward the advanced degree in social work.

Concentration Courses

Advanced standing standing students start in the practice area courses and do not take the 555 practicum.

The purpose of the Concentration curriculum is to prepare students with more breadth and depth in their knowledge base (theories that underlie social work practice). In addition, the Concentration curriculum serves to advance their critical thinking and foundation practice skills for entry into very specialized fields of practice, or concentrations.

Practice Area

Following the Concentration curriculum, students enter into Practice Area curriculum.

Mental Health & Addictions

Students in this practice area assess mental health and addictions issues from person-in-environment, consumer focused, strengths-based, recovery-oriented, and other relevant perspectives. Competence in formulating intervention, prevention, or support and maintenance plans collaboratively with clients. Students gain preparation to serve as case managers, counselors, clinicians, and advocates for and with mental health and addictions consumers. Also, they are able to seek, discover, and evaluate relevant research studies and apply findings in evidence-based social work practice. Within the context of their practice, they conduct empirical evaluations of the effectiveness of interventions and services.